Cherokee County trustees approve FY2026-27 budget with 4% raises for principals and hire of compliance coordinator

The Cherokee County School District Board of Trustees approved the 2026-27 general fund budget following executive session, adopting a personnel-focused change to recommended pay increases and approving one targeted staffing addition.

Mr. Pettit, the district finance presenter, opened the budget discussion with a first-reading overview that included projected revenue of $105,442,569 and newly added line items such as a $1.2 million substitute-teacher appropriation. “The fiscal year ’27 general fund total projected revenue collections are 105 million, 442,569,” he said during the presentation. Pettit also described manual corrections to fringe calculations after discovering vacant positions had not been properly encumbered in the district’s accounting setup.

After deliberations and a brief executive session, the board voted unanimously to adopt scenario two: a 3% salary raise for all employees with a 4% increase for principals and assistant principals. Trustee Ms. DeCash moved the motion and Ms. Gallman seconded it. According to the administration, the scenario change increases the payroll cost slightly but was approved “based off fairness to all employees” as discussed at the time.

The board also limited the set of proposed new positions. Of the three deliberated roles (compliance coordinator; director of community and employee relations/ombudsman; and director of finance), trustees approved only the compliance coordinator in the Student Services area, noting the district’s ongoing priorities for special education oversight and IDEA compliance. The administration projected the three deliberation positions together would total about $422,000 if all were included; the board approved the compliance coordinator only.

Mr. Pettit explained the administration’s recommendation to use up to $4.45 million of fund balance to cover a one-year deficit while awaiting post‑reassessment property values next year. He outlined recovery paths including enrollment-driven state funding increases, programmatic adjustments, and conservative revenue projections. The administration cautioned that some elements — notably several state budget items — remain subject to change if the state legislature’s final budget timing shifts.

Votes at a glance - FY2026-27 budget (adopt scenario two: 3% general / 4% principals and APs) — approved unanimously. - Approval of compliance coordinator position (Student Services) — approved unanimously.

Why it matters The changes reallocate the district’s budget priorities toward salary increases and a focused compliance hire while relying on one-time fund balance to avoid an immediate mill-rate increase. Trustees said the combination of modest across‑the‑board increases plus a targeted compliance hire should support classroom instruction and reduce grant and IEP compliance risk.

What officials said “We recommend using available fund balance this year and then reassess after next year’s property reassessment,” Mr. Pettit said, explaining the administration’s plan to avoid immediate tax-rate changes. Dr. Fitzpatrick emphasized the district’s goal to limit surprises and to give staff the support needed to focus on instruction.

Next steps The administration will move forward with the approved staffing change and implement the pay changes at the level approved by the board. The district will continue close monitoring of state budget action and complete the system encumbrance work to ensure fringe and salary items are accurately reflected in July when pay schedules and encumbrances are finalized.